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White Paper
The Growing Demand for ATM This paper covers a number of technologies, focusing
on providing both technical information and a market
Over the next five years, demand for Asynchronous overview. In addition, the final section reveals Cisco’s
Transfer Mode (ATM) based networks is expected to direction in the Frame Relay and ATM WAN technology
grow at a rapid rate. This growth will see ATM emerge as areas and emphasizes key differentiators in the following
a LAN technology for private enterprise networks as well areas:
as a WAN technology for carrier/public network offerings.
This overall demand for ATM is generating a great deal • Maximum WAN bandwidth network throughput
of attention in both the ATM Data Exchange Interface through the use of compression
(ATM-DXI) and Frame-based User-to-Network Interface • Ease of configuration through Address Resolution
(FUNI) protocols for access into ATM networks. Because Protocol (ARP) and Inverse ARP services
of their roots in frame technology, both FUNI and ATM-
DXI are often compared with Frame Relay. Although • Quality of Service (QoS) through virtual circuit (VC)
ATM has received more attention in the industry press, prioritization
Frame Relay currently has a much larger installed • Integrated LAN/WAN hardware support for seamless
base. As a result, protocols like Frame Relay to ATM dial-up/Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
Service/Network Interworking will play a major role access, channelized T1/T3 interfaces, and ATM
in allowing existing Frame Relay networks to coexist switching in workgroup and campus backbone
with ATM-based network environments. This paper environments
will clarify the issues surrounding both Frame Relay
and ATM technology by covering the following points: • Full Internet service access with integrated
security/encryption functionality
• An explanation of FUNI and ATM-DXI
These features build upon existing strengths in the
• A comparison of FUNI, ATM-DXI, and Frame Relay Cisco IOS software and will deliver the best migration
• Frame Relay to ATM Service/Network Interworking path for customers looking to integrate Frame Relay and
technical overview ATM WAN technology into their networks.
• The PVC versus SVC debate
• The Role of Frame Relay and ATM technology in the
Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS™)
software and the overall product line
Serial Port
Customer Premises
Frame address
bits map to
VCI/VPI bits
• The Frame Relay discard eligible (DE) bit and the • Frame Relay to ATM Network Interworking, which
cell loss priority (CLP) bit perform the same function. provides an ATM transport between two Frame Relay
CLP/DE = 1 indicates that a cell/frame has a greater end stations
probability to be discarded in the case where network • Frame Relay to ATM Service Interworking, which
congestion requires cells/frames to be discarded. allows an ATM end station to communicate with a
• The Frame Relay C/R bit, which is passed transparently Frame Relay end station without either side having
between Frame Relay users, does not have a any knowledge about the protocol being used on the
corresponding bit in the FUNI/ATM-DXI header. other end
Although this mapping between Frame Relay and ATM The basic topology for Frame Relay/ATM Network
is convenient, it should be noted that other mappings are Interworking is shown in Figure 5. It consists of Frame
possible. Relay end stations on either side going through a Frame
Relay network to the Frame Relay/ATM Network
Interworking Function (IWF). The IWF is connected to an
ATM network, which acts as a transport medium for the
Frame Relay end stations. The Network IWF transparently
transports both data traffic and PVC signaling information
(the Link Management Interface (LMI)) through the ATM
network and effectively tunnels Frame Relay through
ATM. This facilitates Multiprotocol Encapsulation (RFC
1490) and other higher-layer functionality to be transported
over the network. The location of the Network IWF can
either be on a Frame Relay or an ATM switch. The
Network IWF can also be in a box external to either
network.
PVC Remains Up
Figure 6. Frame Relay/ATM Service Interworking Topology Permanently
ATM UNI
Physical Physical
Access Link Access Link
Software and Overall • Dial-up access (ISDN) as well as leased line services
for both the DTE and DCE devices
Product Line • Channelized T1 access for increased port density for
This section highlights the future directions of Frame Relay DCE devices
and ATM technology in the Cisco IOS software. Frame
Relay/ATM Interworking technology will also be covered • Point-to-multipoint support for both the DTE and DCE
in this context. devices
• Integrated IP address resolution services for both the
DTE and DCE devices
• Compression over low-speed FUNI WAN links for
DTE devices
Serial Port
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